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Currently, Stanford offers two components to its Arabic program: The language component consists of three years of study of Arabic: Beginning Arabic (a three-course sequence spanning fall, winter, spring quarters), Intermediate Arabic (a three-course sequence offered fall, winter, spring quarters), and Advanced Arabic (also fall, winter, spring quarters). The literature component consists of four classes dealing with Arabic literature. Current class meetings and times are listed under the African & Middle Eastern Languages section of the time schedule. Language course descriptions are as follows: Beginning Arabic AMELANG 120A,B,C: In this one-year sequence the main emphasis is placed on reading and writing standard Arabic, or fusha, as used by educated native speakers of the language. The speaking skill is given increasingly great attention especially during the last two quarters of the sequence. The course is offered over three quarters (Fall, Winter, Spring) and covers the first 12 lessons of Brustad's Al-Kitaab: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic Part I, as well as Khalil Barhoum's “Arabic Script, Phonology, and Calligraphy” and "Spoken Arabic," in addition to carefully selected outside material. At the end of each quarter, the grade is determined on the basis of four tests and four sets of homework, as well as on attendance and participation. Extra credit is provided for group study, Arabic software use, and related cultural activities. A committee is elected at the beginning of each quarter to help coordinate such activities as Arabic potluck dinners, visits to local restaurants, printing of Arabic t-shirts, Arabic movie nights, etc. (Barhoum, Salti) Intermediate Arabic AMELANG 121A,B,C: In Second-Year Arabic, students complete the textbook that was utilized in First-Year Arabic and begin working with the higher level textbook (Al-Kitaab Part 2). This course also concentrates on grammar and syntax while examining various Arabic texts from popular media outlets. The course also gives the students an opportunity for oral presentations. The grade is based on one midterm, one final exam, several written assignments, one oral presentation, attendance and participation. (Barhoum, Salti) Advanced Arabic AMELANG 122A,B,C: In Third-Year Arabic, students expand their knowledge of Arabic grammar and syntax while simultaneously examining a variety of complex texts and articles from the Arabic press. Students continue to utilize Al-Kitaab Part 2 as the main text but are also expected to learn to expand their comprehension skills through oral reports, written assignments, and a wide variety of audio-visual aids including Internet pages in Arabic. The course also incorporates selected Arabic films and a wide variety of Arabic cultural productions. The final grade is based on a final and/or an extensive written paper and oral presentation(s). Course content is often tailored and changed to meet student's needs and individual academic goals. Attendance and participation are crucial. (Salti) |
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Complete literature course descriptions are as follows: Topics in Arabic Literature and Culture AMELANG 161–163: These courses are designed to introduce students to certain literary and cultural facets of the Arab world not readily dealt with in other courses offered at Stanford. The courses are not a sequence, so they may be taken independently. All readings and discussion are in English, and no knowledge of Arabic is required. AMELANG 161 & 163 have been approved for Stanford's General Education Requirement (GER) Area Three (Humanities and social Sciences) and Area Four (World Cultures). AMELANG 162 Contemporary Arab Women Writers and Issue is approved for Area Three and Area Four (Gender Studies). AMELANG 161 The Arab World and Culture through Literature: Introduction to key forms of modern Arabic literature. Survey of different genres (i.e. poetry, novels, short stories) providing a glimpse at Arab society and culture. Readings include literary works written by prominent male and female authors, dealing with such dominant cultural topics as nationalism, religion, gender and women issues, kinship and social concepts, etc. Selected texts help delineate the cultural uniqueness of the Arab world, and include certain major works by Neguib Mahfouz, Nawal El-Saadawi, Ghassan Kanafani, as well as representative samples of poetry and short stories spanning the contemporary Arab world. 4 units, Aut (Barhoum). AMELANG 162 Contemporary Arab Women Writers and Issues: Selections of fiction as well as non-fiction works by prominent Arab women writers. Discussion and analysis of the main cultural factors contributing to the shaping of their dominant feminist conceptions and attitudes. Readings include: Fatima Mernissi's Dreams of Trespass; Nawal El Saadawi's God Dies by the Nile; Etel Adnan's Sitt Marie Rose; Hala Deeb Jabbour's A Woman of Nazareth; Elizabeth Fernea's Women and the Family in the Middle East; Alifa Rifaat's Distant View of a minaret. 4 units, Win (Barhoum). This course alternates with 625B: Contemporary Arab Writers. AMELANG 163 The Arab World through Travel Literature: A look at early colonialist and post-colonialist portrayals of Arab culture in the west, to be considered along with recent critical examinations of such stereotypical depictions of Arabs and Islam. Selected readings include: Gustave Flaubert's Flaubert in Egypt; Jonathan Raban's Arabia through the Looking Glass; Elizabeth Fernea's Guests of the Sheik; Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's Letters; Lawrence Durrell's The Alexandria Quartet; Edward Said's Covering Islam and the Introduction to Orientalism; Jack Shaheen's The T.V. Arab; Maxine Rodinson's Europe and the Mystique of Islam; Geraldine Brooks' Nine parts of Desire; Eric Hansen's Moptoring with Mohammed. 4 units, Spr (Barhoum). Introduction to Contemporary Arabic Literature AMELANG 125A: Introduction to key forms of modern Arabic literature. Survey of different genres (i.e. poetry, novels, short stories) providing a glimpse at Arab society and culture. Readings include literary works written by prominent male and female authors, dealing with such dominant cultural topics as nationalism, religion, gender and women issues, kinship and social concepts, etc. Selected texts help delineate the cultural uniqueness of the Arab world, and include certain major works by Neguib Mahfouz, Nawal El-Saadawi, Ghassan Kanafani, as well as representative samples of poetry and short stories spanning the contemporary Arab world. 4 units, Aut (Barhoum). Influences and Issues in Contemporary Arabic Literature: Contemporary Arab Writers AMELANG 125B Influences and Issues in Contemporary Arabic Literature: Contemporary Arab Writers: Samples of contemporary writings by selected influential Arab authors. Analysis of the creative and cultural factors shaping the literary conceptions and works of each writer. Emphasis on texts that accentuate cultural and historical turning points in the collective experience of the modern Arab world. Readings include : Neguib Mahfouz' Trilogy (Palace walk; Palace of Desire; Sugar Street); Nawal El-Saadawi's God Dies by the Nile and Death of an ex-Minister; Tayeb Saleh's Wedding of Zein and Season of Migration to the North; Emile Habiby's The Secret Life of Saeed the Pessoptimist. 4 units, Win (Barhoum). Contemporary Arab Women Writers and Issues AMELANG 125C: Selections of fiction as well as non-fiction works by prominent Arab women writers. Discussion and analysis of the main cultural factors contributing to the shaping of their dominant feminist conceptions and attitudes. Readings include: Fatima Mernissi's Dreams of Trespass; Nawal El Saadawi's God Dies by the Nile; Etel Adnan's Sitt Marie Rose; Hala Deeb Jabbour's A Woman of Nazareth; Elizabeth Fernea's Women and the Family in the Middle East; Alifa Rifaat's Distant View of a minaret. 4 units, Win (Barhoum). This course alternates with 625B: Contemporary Arab Writers. Readings in Arabic Literature AMELANG 195A,B,C Readings in Arabic Literature: This course utilizes a variety of Arabic texts and cultural productions including short stories, Arabic poetry, and novels by major Arab writers, past and present. All texts are read and discussed in Arabic only (no translations). This course counts towards the Arabic minor at Stanford but is intended for native or near-native Arabic students only. Course is offered upon demand. (Salti) |
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Khalil Barhoum, AME Coordinator and Senior Lecturer, Stanford Language Center Ramzi Salti, Lecturer in Arabic Language and Literature, AME Dept |
